Early start to this year’s St. Patrick’s Day parties in Waterloo
St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Sunday this year but you wouldn’t know it in Waterloo, Ont.
Thousands of university and college students, dressed all in green, made their way to Marshall Street on Saturday afternoon.
“We just have a lot of friends around here,” said one. “We’re just trying to party as much as we can.”
“When else are you going to hang out with 20,000 people?” asked another.
St. Patrick's Day festivities on Marshall Street in Waterloo on March 16, 2024. (Hannah Schmidt/CTV Kitchener)
The unsanctioned street party has become an annual tradition in Waterloo’s University district.
Officers with the Waterloo Regional Police Service were also out on Saturday, making sure students stayed safe.
MORE: How Waterloo prepared for this year’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations
Police keep an eye on students taking part in St. Patrick's Day celebrations on Marshall Street on March 16, 2024.
Not everyone who showed up Saturday, however, were there to party.
“This year I think we have 20,000 Timbits and 4,000 water bottles that we’re giving away,” a volunteer told CTV News, adding that they were provided by the community. “It’s all just the support of our church, the regular tithes [and] donations of the members of our church.”
A volunteer hands out Timbits to students at Waterloo's unsanctioned St. Patrick's Day street party on March 16, 2024. (Hannah Schmidt/CTV Kitchener)
Some party-goers said the festivities brought back memories.
“We both grew up in Kitchener-Waterloo,” explained one person. “Always, around this time, my mom would be like: ‘We’re not driving anywhere remotely around University, Albert [or] Columbia. Because it’s just crazy.’ I remember when Ezra [Avenue] was a thing and it was just like, always insane.”
Others said it was a good opportunity to meet new people.
“I think it’s a great place for everyone, from schools anywhere, [to] interact with each other,” said an attendee.
In Guelph, the St. Patrick’s Day parties also started early.
In a post, made around 7 p.m. on the social media platform X, police said they’d already made their first arrest for impaired driving.
- With additional reporting by Hannah Schmidt
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Millions of Canadians have been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Biden calls Trump 'unhinged,' says 'something snapped' in former president after he lost 2020 U.S. election
U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday called Donald Trump “clearly unhinged” and claimed that “something snapped” in the former president after he lost the 2020 election.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.